Part 4:
The Fruits of Christian
Joy
JOY
A Fruit of the Holy
Spirit
(Compiled by Michael T. Sullivan, MD)
God the Father, Our Lord Jesus
Christ
and
Our Lady of Emmitsburg
speak on
"Joy"
"We are writing this so that our joy
may be complete."
(1Jn 1:4)
The Fruits of the
Holy Spirit
"The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, generosity, faithfulness,
gentleness, modesty, chastity and self control."
(Gal 5:22-23)
Joy, one of the fruits of the Holy
Spirit, when listed in St.
Paul's
letter to the Galatians, is listed 2nd only to love. When as human
beings we experience God's Love and it begins to take root in our interior
being, the natural outflow is joy. It is that same joy then that can,
through the interior workings of the Holy Spirit, attract others to God's Love.
Opening Remarks/Definitions
from Part 1
In this compilation on "JOY"
we hope to draw from this vast heavenly grace to the world in a way that brings
each of us closer to God--His Love and His Joy!
Part 1: The Joy of God the Father
The Joy of Jesus
The Joy of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Joy of Our Lady in the Holy
Spirit
Part 2: The Joy of My Divine Providence
The Joy of My Light and in My Truth
The Joy of the Cross
Part 3: The Aspects of Our Christian Joy
Part 4: The Fruits of Christian Joy
The Fruits of Christian
Joy
Introduction
Pope Paul VI teaches:
"There is needed a patient effort to
teach people, or teach them once again, how to savor in a simple way the many human
joys that the Creator places in their paths: the elating joy of existence
and of life; the joy of chaste and sanctified love; the peaceful
joy of nature and silence; the sometimes austere joy of work well
done; the joy and satisfaction of duty performed; the transparent joy of
purity, service and sharing; the demanding joy of sacrifice.” (Gaudete in Domino,
On Christian Joy, Pope Paul VI, May 9, 1975)
Some of these simple human joys
are brought to mind by Our Lady of Emmitsburg as she shares with us her
messages about the birth of Our Lord, the innocence and dependence of the
Child, the beauty of our own childlikeness and littleness, the treasure of the
Eucharist, the exhilaration that comes with tears of joy, the genuine
satisfaction that comes with sharing the Joy of Jesus, and the promise that Joy
is ours to be had, that it will be made complete.
We have in the Opening Remarks
defined "joy" as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and in
that, not just a wonderful emotion and a virtue, but an action. That action
can produce many positive effects, results and outcomes. In this section we
will explore some of the fruits of Christian Joy.
Christmas
“”I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you
who is Messiah and Lord.”
(Lk 2:10-11)
Throughout the course of the liturgical year,
some of the most "joy-filled" messages from Our Lady
of Emmitsburg have come during the Advent and Christmas Seasons, which
anticipate the first coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ as a Child.
Reflecting on these sentiments and teachings now may serve as preparation for
anticipating the second coming, which is not the Final Judgment
at the end of the world, but the second or intermediate coming of the
Christ Child at this end of the era.
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with
you!”
(Lk 1:28)
Our Lady begins by sharing some of the most intimate
aspects of that first coming and its meaning for all of her children:
“As I was gathering
water from the town well, a brilliant light from Heaven approached me.
Startled by this light I made in haste my way home. Once in my humble quarters
there again a brilliant light from Heaven entered my quarters, and from this
light came the melodious voice of an angel who announced, ‘Hail full of
grace, the Lord is with you!....
"…My little
children, God in His Love instructed my soul and spoke to me in the middle of
the silence and darkness of the world. There I surrendered in the trust
and poverty of a child. I did not know the land I would travel or the
route. I had only one desire, that of reaching the summit of Love. My
Joseph and I were led by God through passages where we saw nothing but
half-veiled light, but that Light was God Himself advancing us toward His mountain of Love….
"Make a way: give free passage,
turnout of the path,
take away the stumbling blocks out of the
way of my people."
(Is 57:14)
“…You also, children are
invited to walk the passage of Love, seen though it may be with silence
and little consolation. Surrender in hope and watch. Our Jesus will
turn your sorrow and darkness into joy, and a luminous light will dawn a new
tomorrow. Wait in anticipation and adore Him. Walk where He leads you
with the trust and poverty of a child. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and
the power of the Most High will overshadow you! The Holy Child to be born will
be called Son of God. He is your God, children; He is your Jesus, your Savior;
and nothing will be impossible, for He is God.” (Public OLOE, Dec. 16,
1999)
The events of that first Christmas bring
bittersweet memories to Our Lady as she recalls all of the trials and
tribulations that accompanied it; however, those trials were overwhelmed by the
moment of joy when she looked into the eyes of “Life” Himself:
“Allow me to tell you,
my little ones, on the night when my Son was born, although it was glorious
indeed, it was a sad evening; for there we were with my newborn Child, no place
to keep Him, no clothes in which to wrap Him. It was cold and dark; and yes,
it was sad because I wanted Him to have all the good things a mother could
give….But then I looked into His eyes, and like in that glorious moment when
every newborn babe has barely opened his baby eyes, I could see in Him “Life.”
Just the glimpse of that moment was joy indeed!...I can tell you that what day
after day seemed to be so harsh and so filled with turmoil, turned out to be
glorious, day after day, filled with joy after joy….
“… (And for you) what
was once dark, sad and in turmoil, and you with no place to rest your souls,
now in the glimpse of the Newborn will open a new dawn, and day after day will
be a new tomorrow, glorious and more glorious!” (Private OLOE, Dec. 25, 2002)
“It is a time of Joy, a
time for the world to prepare for the glorious Coming of my Son, your
Emmanuel….When I was expecting, I had the tremendous Joy of giving birth to a
Savior. Now as a Mother, I continue to have that same joy as your Mother. So
please join me in being filled with a childlike joy.” (Private OLOE, Dec. 2, 2003)
“This season draws close
to every human’s heart the joy of love in several forms. Joy centered on Jesus
and his mystical Life shall bring forth interior Peace and self-satisfaction.
Reflect on the Infant Jesus, and wait in anticipation for His joyous
coming….Ponder His goodness and the holy indifference which
allowed Him to rise to the heights of humility. The joy of a mother
surpasses all ailments, and it is my Joy to bring you to Him. It is my Joy,
for I am your Mother.” (Public
OLOE, Nov. 30, 1995)
"For a child is born to us, a
son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God
-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace."
(Is 9:5)
“It is a great joy to
have the gift of Jesus in your heart. There is no greater gift than to bear in
your heart the Birth and the Joy of the Child Jesus. This comes with tremendous
Peace…..Many things pass quickly, but your love for Him can only grow deeper
until your heart is inflamed. At that point, Peace and Justice meet.” (Private OLOE, Dec. 2, 2005)
"Justice shall be the band around
his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips….
The calf and the young lion shall browse
together,
with a little child to guide
them."
(Is 11:5-6)
“So focus on the Child
this Christmas Season; and even in His suffering you will see the Joy—the
Joy of life, holiness and redemption, the gift of
salvation.”
(Private
OLOE, Nov.
30, 2008)
The Joy of the Child
Jesus
Recalling David speaking of Our Lord:
"You have made known to me the paths
of life;
you will fill me with joy in your
presence."
(Acts 2:28)
“I am your Mother of Joy
because I bring you “Life.” I bring you my Son, your Savior, Jesus. He
is Life….He is Joy, and it is my joy to present Him to you. He
is your Joy….I am here to protect all life, and no forces of evil can
prevail over me. This place is the haven of life because it is the Center
of my Immaculate Heart where all children seek refuge. It will withstand
all attacks from evil because I am here with my Child Jesus….Here they
will find Joy, for I am your Mother of Joy; and I present your Joy as a
Child. Jesus comes in the form of a Child when He is filled with Joy….He
humbles Himself in His Majesty to come with me in the form of a little Child
offering you the invitation to Life and Joy.” (Public OLOE, Mar. 9, 1995) “The desire for all people
to know and to come to the Center of my Immaculate Heart for Joy and as a
refuge of children, because the Child Jesus is here, is a great grace. So much
joy is missing today in peoples’ lives, and the Child Jesus can restore that;
and I with my mantle will cover and protect them.” (Private OLOE, Sept. 9, 2010)
“The earth is being
renewed by the Presence of Heaven. My Son is coming to dispel the darkness of
your minds and hearts. Rejoice to have a Savior who loves you and is coming to
give you a breath of Heaven….Receive the joy, anticipation and excitement of
a child’s heart awaiting a prized treasure.” (Public OLOE, Dec. 9,
1999)
“…This is the time
when my Son is awaiting the hour to arrive, when His Joy can come into your
hearts. This is the time for you to keep vigil and wait for Joy. My
Son is the Joy of your heart. Await Him in anticipation through
prayer….The Joy of God is coming for those who seek Him with all their hearts. Joy
is coming for those who invite Him into their hearts.” (Public OLOE, Dec. 1,
1994)
Childlikeness
"Amen, I say to you, unless you turn
and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."
(Mt 18:3)
“My Son is coming, and He will be looking
to find those with childlike and little hearts, those not
preoccupied with sensationalism and the complexities of life. He will be
looking for those who live a humble, modest life and who strive
to love, who are honest, who are not filled with malice or guile,
and who have been faithful to His Word and who trust in His
promise with childlike, filial confidence….It is my Son, the Child
Jesus, who will usher in the new era of peace, to give you hope and
invite all the world to be enthroned in His virtues….Therefore,, do not be
afraid. Await His arrival with great anticipation and joy.” (Public OLOE, Sept. 30,
1999) “…He
will return again, not in a corporeal body to walk the earth, and not as
the glorified Just Judge as he will come at the end of time, but as a Child
of Hope to usher in an era of peace as God’s Mercy is unveiled….It was
during my Son’s childhood years that He was surrounded by love, warmth and
security. He was filled with joy, gained wisdom and was protected from
danger. The return of Jesus as a Child through my Immaculate Heart will
provide a refuge where you will be safe from harm; and He will give you hope to
live life in the fullness of His Joy.” (Public OLOE, June 29, 2000) “It will not be
His Final Judgment and Coming, for this next era will be the Covenant of Our
Two Hearts, a Spiritual Eucharistic Reign where the Child Jesus will
usher in a Kingdom of Peace.” (Public OLOE, Mar. 2, 2000)
“God loves you, little
ones. Your eyes show the joy of littleness and a genuine love of
Jesus. Your eyes are the core of your soul. They cannot lie.…God is with you
at all times. Stay close to Him in His Most Precious Body and Blood. There you
shall learn the Truth of how to be like a child.” (Private OLOE, July 9, 2005) “Do not allow
anyone to take from you the joy, the innocence, the purity, and the fresh love
that you portray. Continue to be childlike.” (Private OLOE, Nov. 5, 2005)
"I give you praise Father, Lord of
heaven and earth;
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned,
you have revealed them to the
childlike."
(Lk 10:21)
“Little ones, that is
what you are, children of God….In all humility and as humble
servants, in the Light of God, you all are invited to allow God to be greater
and you to be lesser. When you move aside, then God is
everything, and you are filled with Joy and freedom; but it takes wisdom and
the Light of the Holy Spirit. Then through your prayer and faith, you can
realize that you must become lesser so God can become
all!...Remember: Littleness is greatness, and to be great you can
be the tiniest atom that hides within my Son’s Heart. There you are
protected. God did not need me, He chose me; and as He does not need
anyone, He chooses you. Why? Because He loves you in His Plan for the
fulfillment of the life and the salvation of humanity.” (Private OLOE, Jan. 10, 2010)
“The joy of the
little children is the Joy of His Heart….For those who are truly childlike
are those who have the vision of hope, freedom, peace and life.” (Private OLOE, Feb. 18, 2005)
"Let the children come to me,
and do not prevent them;
for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."
(Mt 19:14)
Center of my Immaculate
Heart
"For if you live according to
the flesh, you will die;
but if by the Spirit you put to death the
deeds of the body, you will live."
(Rom 8:13)
It is one thing to know, to recite, to answer
appropriately questions regarding the Word of God in the Gospel or even an
authentic message from Heaven which supports the Word of God; however, what is
important and most necessary is to “live” the Word of God and
whatever messages one genuinely discerns to be true. Oftentimes, we may
deceive both ourselves and others in this matter of “living” the
message; however, God in His Truth sees all and knows all and reaches out to all
with His unfathomable Mercy, and is not deceived. Our Lady of Emmitsburg invites
all to live rather than just know about the message:
“I invite you, children,
to live my messages of hope, joy and love, so that all the world will
know God’s Truth and see that at this Center of my Immaculate Heart there can
only be hope, joy, love and safe refuge for all children. My Immaculate
Heart shall triumph, and the Two Hearts shall reign in the glory of
the Eternal Father’s Truth….I desire the world to know that those who trust in
my Immaculate Heart and the Sacred Heart of my Son can rest in Our Peace and
Joy.” (Public OLOE, May 4,
1995)
“Strive to be hospitable
and genuinely loving so that the world will see the Joy of Jesus in your eyes here
at this Center of my Immaculate Heart. All are called to be filled with
Joy. To be filled with joy, you must be filled with Jesus’ Love….I desire all
who come here to see the Love and Joy of Jesus in your eyes.” (Public OLOE, Nov. 2,
1995) “My
Immaculate Heart is a refuge for all people. All are welcomed. You, little
children, are invited to join together in unity to share my Love and Joy
in Jesus with all who come here.” (Public OLOE, Nov. 9, 1995)
“But here, at the Center
of my Immaculate Heart, I am not leaving. It does not matter how many
do not desire me. I do not look for numbers. I look to what God desires; and
I am so honored and humbled that if there is even just one soul here who
desires me, I would never leave; and there are more than one soul.
There are many, many here who desire me….For this is a Center of Hope, a Center
of Joy, and a Center for the people to rejoice in their Saints, their priests
and their God…..”
(Private
OLOE, Feb.
5, 2005)
A profoundly prophetic and not well understood
aspect of Our Lady of Emmitsburg’s message at the Center of
her Immaculate Heart involves the unveiling of God’s Mercy here
in such a way as it will affect the entire world. This appreciation of
what has been called God’s greatest attribute, His Divine Mercy, was initiated
most notably by St. Faustina Kowalska in Poland during the 1930’s
and has been expanded upon by the Church and many of its prophets since that time.
Interestingly, Our Lady states that this local community in and around
Emmitsburg, the Center of her Immaculate Heart, will need to be a
community of purity, joy and peace. Would this be an accurate description of
this community yet?
“When my Son’s Divine
Mercy is unveiled, it will entail the entire world; and as His Divine Mercy
commences, it will be unveiled here at the Center of my Immaculate Heart. What
results from the unveiling of His Mercy will be glorious, and it will involve
the Eucharistic Reign moving to the forefront. But initially this
community will need to be one of purity and joy and peace before His Divine
Mercy can commence here. It will involve everyone who has chosen to walk away
from Him or to be indifferent and those who have been fearful. But eventually
glorious works and Peace shall come. A new springtime of grace and hope
shall arise.”
(Private OLOE,
Sept. 22,
2003)
“I thank you with all my
heart for all of your efforts and your commitment and devotion to my Son,
allowing me to be here at the center of true Joy and refuge for all people
and all nations, of every race and creed. I tell you that I am a Mother, a
Mother of all religions. I am the Mother of Hope, your Mother of
Hope; the Mother of Truth, your Mother of Truth; the
Mother of Joy, your Mother of Joy. My hope for all
humanity is that Peace and unity will live in your hearts, a world of Peace
which can exist.”
(Private
OLOE, Nov.
27, 2005)
"For in hope we were saved.
Now hope that sees for itself is not
hope.
For who hopes for what one sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see,
we wait with endurance."
(Rom 8:24-25)
“Never lose hope!
Always keep the Joy of Jesus in your heart….What is important is that you know
that all I have said will unfold. Yes, God is good and merciful, and
oftentimes events are mitigated, but all of what I have said will unfold.” (Private OLOE, Mar. 21, 2009)
“Whatever you believe,
children, if your faith is deep enough, it will happen. Your faith must
be rooted with the firm confidence that God’s Will shall unfold….The
signs of the times have revealed that the end of an era is truly sooner
than you think….All there is time for is to love and to unify;
and in your actions of love, people will see the Truth. Truth is so
important, because with my most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, all things
will be made new, for they will be made new within my Son.” (Private OLOE, Aug. 15, 2010)
“Do not be afraid
to give yourself totally to God. He will always provide for you and fill you
with Joy.”
(Public
OLOE, may 26, 1994)
"For the grace of God has
appeared,
saving all and training us to reject
godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and
devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope, the
appearance
of the glory of the great God and of our
Savior Jesus Christ,
who gave Himself for us to deliver us
from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for Himself a people as
His own,
eager to do what is good."
(Tit 2:12-14)
Joy and the Eucharist
In Christ Our Joy, the Theological Vision of Pope Benedict
XVI, Msgr. Joseph Murphy
writes:
"The
Eucharist in its various dimensions gives rise to joy:
joy for the salvation that the Lord has won for us in the Paschal
mystery; joy at the Lord's abiding presence; joy that arises from
the intimate union with Him that takes place in Eucharistic
communion and binds us more closely to the life of the Trinity.
Furthermore, the joy that flows from the Eucharist urges us to evangelize
and commit ourselves to bringing the 'yeast' of the Gospel
into society and the world at large."
"I am the living bread that
came down from Heaven.
Whoever eats this bread will live
forever;
and the bread that I will give is
my flesh for the life of the world."
(Jn 6: 51)
During Holy Communion in 1988, Our Lord
spoke to Gianna:
“…I am now
within you! It is in the Eucharist that I am consecrated
to you and you to Me….It is I, through the Eucharist, Who makes
your image one in the likeness of God, because you are receiving My Body. I
grant you special graces, not by human desire, but by Mine….My
people need to be open to this!” (JOM, Vol I, #3, Nov. 5, 1988)
By some accounts in private revelation, Our Lady
lived another 15 years after the Death and Resurrection of her Son, as she
worked with the Apostles in establishing that early Church. Who more than she
could appreciate the Life and the Love present in her own Son’s Eucharistic
Presence? Our Lady of Emmitsburg shares this with all her children:
“The Love of God is
everything. It is your joy, your life, your food. Your
treasure is in the Love of Jesus.” (Public OLOE, Nov. 17, 1994)
“Receive Holy
Eucharist so Jesus will find great joy in dwelling in you. Profit by the
remedy offered in Jesus as the ‘Bread of Life. Do not use an excuse of
fear to stay away from Jesus.” (Private OLOE, Sept. 8, 1994)
“How blessed you
are that He is here everyday for you in the Most Holy Eucharist!
How blessed you are to receive Jesus every minute!...Receive His
blessing most graciously, and open your hearts continually to receive more; for
there is much more to give….” (Public OLOE, Sept. 2, 2007)
Tears
"I yearn to see you again, recalling
your tears,
so that I may be filled with joy,
as I recall your sincere faith…."
(2Tim 1:5)
Certainly, all of us can identify with many of
the emotions that can elicit the act of crying or tearing up. It can be
associated with pain and sorrow, with fear or embarrassment, and with joy and
exhilaration. Through the modern media we see so many peoples’ lives—lives
across the world or our nation that we see but know not, lives of our friends
and acquaintances, lives in our family members and within our own households—all
filled with so much sorrow and sadness; and we might expect most
of the tears in the world to reflect that stark reality. But, it is not going
to be that way forever!
However, God the Father in His “Words,”
Our Lord Jesus Christ in His Lessons, Our Lady of Emmitsburg
in her messages, all speak of that time, sooner rather than later, when
those tears of sorrow will first serve as tears of
cleansing and then no longer exist, but rather be transformed into tears
of joy:
God the Father:
"I bless you with tears
of cleansing at every moment that your souls may be uplifted and
inebriated with the Joy of My son, and there joined to the Triune God, pure and
undefiled, gracious and whole, glorious and unending, magnificent and
omnipotent!” (GTF, Mar
8, 2007)
Our Lord Jesus Christ:
“Evil’s reign of power
is close to an end, and there shall be no more tears of sorrow,
but tears of joy and gladness. Every sorrow, every whimper of pain
pierces My Sacred Heart, only to be turned into the soul’s glory in resurrection.”
(JOM, Vol
V, #28, Nov. 2, 1995)
Our
Lady of Emmitsburg:
“Your tears will no
longer be tears, like pellets falling from the face of my Son’s torn flesh, but
will be tears of Joy. Your tears will turn into droplets of purifying
balm that can only heal and will soothe the pain of the tormented
Face of my Son, which has been torn apart and filled with the hatred of the
angry people who have injured it.” (Private OLOE, Dec. 15, 2009)
"He will wipe every tear from
their eyes,
and there shall be no more death or
mourning, wailing or pain,
for the old order has passed away."
(Rev 21:4)
Sharing Our Joy
"Awe came upon everyone,
and many wonders and signs were done
through the Apostles….
Every day they devoted themselves to
meeting together in the temple area
and to breaking bread in their
homes….
praising God and enjoying favor with all
the people.
And every day the Lord added to their
number those who were being saved.
(Acts 243-47)
Just as the Love of God could not
contain itself, but overflowed in a way as to bring about creation and
humanity, so too Christian Joy cannot contain itself or be
hoarded or be directed inward, but also must overflow to our fellow brothers
and sisters, all children of God. Our Lady of Emmitsburg
refers to the actions of and response to those first Apostles who after being
filled with Holy Spirit could not contain the Joy of Christ:
“Be filled with the Holy
Spirit,
and know that the Joy of Christ will sustain you in all your trials and
in all your accomplishments.” (Private OLOE, Nov. 14, 2009) “As the Apostles
could not contain themselves with the Gift of the Holy Spirit and went all
about preaching the Good News of my Son, you also should not be
contained or withhold any information regarding my presence here. Go forth
valiantly with the Gift of the Holy Spirit, like crashing waves!...Keep going
and going forth, prodded by the Holy spirit, until people look and see the
great fruits and the Joy and the Peace with which God has blessed them
here….The Holy Spirit gave the Apostles courage. They were made new!...If
they remained silent, it was like torture within them—also the same for you.
The longer you hold back, the more inside you will be wounded with turbulence
from the lack of inner strength and inner security, You will lack peace of
heart, and your void will not be filled with Joy. So respond and move
valiantly, like a surge of wind and like gushing waves!” (Private OLOE, May 31, 2009)
"Do nothing out of selfishness or
out of vainglory;
rather, humbly regard others as more
important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own
interests,
but also everyone for those of
others."
(Phil 2:3-4)
“Focus on loving one
another and pondering how the Love of Jesus can change you and help you to be
pure. Self-centeredness can be changed to self-givingness. Selfishness can be
changed to selflessness. You will take joy in the Cross and you will
not be troubled by the way of the world. Nothing is impossible for God.” (Public OLOE, July 9,
1998)
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall
obtain Mercy.”
(Mt 5:7)
“The Mercy of God enriches
your soul when you express mercy towards others. Mercy will shape the bonds of
love in relationships through forgiveness and respect for the dignity of life.
You can encounter a mutual bond of love in your relationships through mercy;
and you will experience God’s gift of joy, peace of heart and freedom by loving
as Jesus loves….” (Public
OLOE, Nov. 19, 1998)
“The best work that you
could ever do through humility is service. When you give yourself to
others, everything else takes care of itself. Whether you feel joy or not, to
give unconditionally and continually is a great gift, because this is
where you meet Jesus face to face….Whether there is sorrow or joy in the world,
you can be certain that if you focus on my Son and continue to work for His
cause, you will always be protected and be with Him for all eternity…” (Private OLOE, Dec. 11, 2005)
“The joy that you share
with others is alive, and it radiates and shows people God’s Love. You
do not need to understand everything….You wait for the perfect timing of
God’s Divine Will. You pray….You implore God’s assistance….You implore
God’s Mercy, and this is necessary. How blessed you are, and how joyful
I am!”
(Private
OLOE, Apr.
5, 2006)
“Evil begets evil, but when you have a free
will and you choose to do good, tremendous glory is
given to God. This changes the world and allows peace and freedom. It gives a
renewal, refreshment to the heart and the soul, and a new birth, one where God
dwells humbly, joyfully, lovingly and compassionately. Then with a childlike
spirit, you are able to freely give and to freely receive. What
a joy!” (Private OLOE, Nov. 26, 2006)
“When you live in
turmoil and your heart is sorrowful; and yet, when you see people, you smile as
if nothing was disturbing you, know that this great gift is graced by Heaven.” (Private OLOE, May 20, 2007)
"Neither the pillar of cloud
by day
nor the pillar of fire by night
ever left its place in front of the people."
(Ex 13:22)
“Remember this,
children: those who are suffering now are those who will gain later and will
be the pillars of Light for those who have everything now. Those who
pray will be the ones who will help those who are confused and frightened and
almost in despair.”
(Private
OLOE, Apr.
18, 2009)
So, be the Light of
Jesus! Allow all those in the world to know the Truth, and never waver. The
truth is the Truth! Even in your torments and sufferings, you are made
just in the eyes of God and righteous through your humility…Peace to you
for all the Peace you give of my Son! Joy to you for all the Joy you give of
my Son!...(Private
OLOE, Dec.
16, 2007)
“I will rejoice over them when I
shall do them good;
and I will plant them in this land in truth,
with my whole heart and with all my
soul.”
(Jer 32:41)
The Closing
"No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one's life for one's friends.
You are My friends if you do what
I command you….
I have called you friends because
I have told you
everything I have heard from my
Father."
(Jn 15:13-15)
In closing, Our Lady of Emmitsburg, as a
joyful Mother, thanks all of us, her children, most especially for their friendship
and their love of her Son. She entices us with a “glimpse” of what
rewards await the faithful; she assures us of what is attainable: complete
joy and a new world; and she blesses us with her
encouragement and hope:
“With the joy of a
Mother that I am, I thank you not only for your camaraderie and unity in
prayer, but for your friendship and your love of my Son. All your works
give Him glory and honor; but what gives my Son the greatest glory is when
people join together, not only to pray, but united in friendship, happiness and
jovial times, sharing the goodness, the freedom and the victory of God….All
your pain and sorrow, all your joys and the fruits of your works are but a mere
glimpse of the rewards and the ecstasy that will be each of yours when
you come face to face with the Beatific Vision of the Triune God.” (Private OLOE, Oct. 18, 2004) “I wish you could see the
Joy that God has when He looks into your souls and sees the beauty and
tranquility there, and when he receives the praise you give to the Triune God….My
Joy is with you, and my prayer is that your joy may be complete.” (Public OLOE, Jan. 31, 2005)
“In the way of today's
world, it is not easy to stand on the ground of Truth and Faith with Hope and
Joy in your hearts; but you can because I am with you, encouraging you and
helping you; and my Son, He will make everything new!” (Private OLOE, Jan. 11, 2006)
“I give you the blessing
of His Hope and His Encouragement; and I give you my blessing as a
Mother to encourage you as I did my Son, and in hope for your Joy, a Joy
that is for you to be had.” (Private OLOE, April 6, 2004)
In the following “Words” of God the
Father from August, 2007, Our Heavenly Father ended with, “How wonderful
a time to live when praise and thanksgiving should be directed to your
Creator.” Is it not a shame that humanity has not taken advantage of this
time?
The Words of God the
Father
To the World
August 8, 2007
Dear Children of
Humanity,
Blessed be life,
life that I created for your good will and your good pleasure, life that you
may live it fully and reap most copiously from the fruit of the land!
This time is a time of
joy. Joy is what you should be grasping. You should grasp it fully. If you
are not reaping the benefits of joy, then look interiorly. Maybe your
attention should be focused more on what you have now than on what you
could have. Then, perhaps you will be joyful.
When the Archangel
Gabriel went to my humble servant, Mary, he said, "Rejoice, O' most highly
favored one"; and then, once again, "Rejoice, the Lord's favor is
upon you." (Lk
1:26-30)
When my Son was
presented to Anna and Simeon at the temple in Jerusalem, Simeon rejoiced,
"My soul can now rest in peace, for I have seen the glory of God." (Lk 2:29-32)
Days before my Son
entered Gethsemane in prayer (Mk 14:32), He rode on a donkey
into Jerusalem; and there they sang,
"Rejoice!" with palms upraised to God. (Mt 21: 9)
How wonderful to live in
a time when praise and thanksgiving should be directed to your Creator!
With all the wonderful gifts you receive, it is a joyful time. All the angels
sing songs of joy.
Joy, joy is yours to be
had!
Take a moment, just one
moment, and you can also receive joy. This gift is in you. It
is graced to you at your Baptism. It is a gift. Keep it, and never
lose it.
I love you as your
Creator, and I will always love you.
Have we kept the gift of joy
we received at Baptism, or have we forgotten about it or have we lost
it?
Brother Rufino was already a priest by
1210, and was one of St. Francis’ first friars in Assisi. Preserved outside of Assisi are some of the
mountainside caves where the friars would go for prayerful solitude and
contemplation. On a visit to Assisi in 1992, through an inner locution, Gianna heard this
prayer from Brother Rufino:
PRAYER OF JOY
(Given by Brother Rufino
in Assisi to Gianna)
Lord, O' my Lord, I am a wretched sinner
Pleading for your Mercy
On this poor soul.
Grant that I may see and live freely
Your Joy now and forever.
Have mercy on me.
I do not deserve Joy of You;
But if You see this poor sinner
As Your Joy in Your Mercy,
I can live in union with You in Joy.
Blessed be God,
For He shall have Mercy
On those who seek Him purely.
Strip me of my ugliness.
Renew me in Your Holiness.
Come, my Lord, come.
O' come to this poor wretched sinner.
May all the world know of my wretchedness
So I may experience and live
In Your Joy forever.
Come, O' Grace of Joy.
Come, your spouse awaits you.
Not shall these lips rejoice
Until my Joy, my Savior, enlightens me
By breathing His Joy upon me.
Praised be God!
Amen. Amen.
(JOM, Vol IV, #26, July
7, 1992)
Although we don’t deserve it and we cannot earn
it, we have the promise of God’s Love for each of us. Our Lady of
Emmitsburg reminds us in closing that it is that Love that sustains and
that no one can take from us. Thanks be to God!
“Sing joyfully to God,
your strength!...His vows are never broken. No matter the circumstance, your
heart of love should be dedicated in resignation to God’s Will and filled
with Joy. Look to the glorious day of meeting Him face to face with
heart-filled longing and joyful offerings of praise.” (Public OLOE, Dec. 15,
1994)
“Take within your hearts
the joy that no one can take from you, that is the joy that you are loved by
God….It is the Love of my Son that sustains each of my children and gives
each of them the ultimate pinnacle of Joy….” (Private OLOE, Aug. 14, 2003)
"For the Father Himself loves you,
because you have loved Me and have come
to believe
that I came from God."
(Jn 16:27)
Just as we began this Part 4, the final segment
of the Joy Series, with Our Lady of Emmitsburg sharing some of
the intimate details of the faith journey she and her Joseph began in
Nazareth and Bethlehem, a journey filled with both tremendous joy and
sorrow, let us now conclude with another image of the two of
them, an image in which they have now reached that pinnacle of Joy,
that is taken from the traditional 30-day Novena to St. Joseph, in which
we are praying to St. Joseph for a special favor:
“…I ask it by the joy
which filled your (Joseph’s) soul, when the Redeemer
of the world, triumphant over death and Hell, entered into the possession of
His Kingdom and led you into it with special honors.
I ask it through Mary’s
glorious Assumption, and through that endless happiness you (Joseph) share with her in the
Presence of God.…”
“Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in
Heaven.
(Lk 623)”
Immaculate Heart of
Mary, Cause of our Joy,
Pray for us!
End of Part 4
End of the Joy Series